UPS has unveiled a new sustainable delivery system in collaboration with Dublin City Council to address city congestion and pollution. The system includes a locally designed container that will act as an ‘urban eco package hub’ on Wolfe Tone Street, supporting alternative pick-up and delivery methods. Deliveries...

UPS has unveiled a new sustainable delivery system in collaboration with Dublin City Council to address city congestion and pollution. The system includes a locally designed container that will act as an ‘urban eco package hub’ on Wolfe Tone Street, supporting alternative pick-up and delivery methods. Deliveries will be made on foot and by bike, using two electrically-assisted cargo bicycles and one tricycle, with the container acting as a mini distribution centre.

Representatives from UPS UK and Ireland, Dublin City Council, and US Embassy with Dearbhla Ní Fhaoilleacháin Ryan

Dublin is experiencing a surge of commuters, visitors and residents, with nearly half a million people traveling within the city centre every day. 1 By 2023, there will be an estimated 234,000 commuter trips into the city limits per day, an increase of 20% compared to 2015.

In response to the growing congestion, the UPS delivery system will eliminate four delivery vehicles dispatched to the city centre each day.

“As one of Europe’s fastest growing cities, Dublin is going through an exciting period of change – but one that also comes with challenges of congestion and air quality,” said Andy Smith, country manager, UPS Ireland. “We see this urban eco hub as an important part of the community. It addresses and reduces congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, and sits as a piece of public art that celebrates local talent.”

To invite community participation for the project, UPS launched a competition with the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in October 2016, offering students an opportunity to design the graphics for the container with a sustainability theme. Smith and Dublin City Council CEO Owen P. Keegan announced the winner, third-year NCAD student, Dearbhla Ní Fhaoilleacháin Ryan during today’s ceremony.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the design, Ní Fhaoilleacháin Ryan said: “As I’ve lived in the northern inner city of Dublin for a few years now, I thought about how it is a living city, an organism itself. I wanted to represent the heart of the city and the beauty of Ireland’s countryside together, so I imagined the shape of a human heart made up of iconic Dublin landmarks and vegetation with the River Liffey making up the pulmonary artery – and I utilized the UPS colors simply to blend it together.”

Brendan O’Brien, Head of Technical Services, Dublin City Council said:- “Dublin City Council recognizes that the supply chain for goods and services into the city must be carefully considered as an essential element of a working city centre. A managed delivery system is being developed, which will look at the potential for changed freight delivery practices, including a different approach to vehicle types, the use of Intelligent Transport Systems and prioritising freight routes.”

“This pilot project gives an excellent collaboration opportunity between UPS and Dublin City Council to reduce the number of goods vehicles on the city streets, reduce congestion and improve the urban environment with less emissions, noise, and damage to roadways. The outcome of this pilot project will inform freight delivery practices in the city,” O’Brien concluded.

UPS introduced its first alternative delivery system of this scale in Hamburg, Germany in February 2012. There are 7-10 fewer delivery vehicles in the city centre each day. Other projects are trialled in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the UK.